Athens nightlife

How to have a good night out in Athens

Last updated 16 December 2010

It's hard not to have a good night out in Athens. This is a city that gets its groove on after midnight. It's better looking after dark, too – by moonlight, all that sprawling concrete turns into a glittering mass of twinkling lights. From hole-in-the-wall bars that serve surprisingly good cocktails, to flamboyant bouzouki clubs where table-top dancing is de rigeur, Athens is all about having a good time. Drinks are expensive, but measures are enormous. There’s no such thing as last orders – bars just stay open until the last punters stumble out.

The city that created drama still has a thriving theatre scene. In fact, there are more theatres per inhabitant than any other European city. The Athens Festival (www.greekfestival.gr) every summer is the main event on the cultural calendar, but there are smaller music and arts festivals throughout the year.